[Bedroomdj]

so i have a fiio alpen 2 and it has a 0db +6db or +12db gain as well as a volume knob.  Im using it with both my shure se215 and my philips fidelio x2.  im pretty sure i dont need extra power but sometimes i want the music louder and even on max volume without the amp its not loud enough. Im pretty sure that gain boosts the signal coming into the alpen 2 and that the volume boosts the signal leaving it but i could be wrong.  Could someone tell me what setting i should put the gain on and whether i need to turn up just the volume on the alpen, just the gain, or some combination of the two.  
 
Thank you for your help
Another Bedroom DJ,

 

[touramalli]

Switching to high gain will increase the noise floor. Turn up the volume knob